Africa

Is Zambia safe?

Capital: LusakaEnglish, ChichewaUpdated October 2026

L1Exercise normal precautions

Is Zambia safe?

Peaceful and low-key; petty theft and bag snatching in Lusaka and Livingstone and road crashes are the main risks. Political events can cause local unrest.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2023-07-30.
Homicide rate: 5.2 per 100,000 people (2015, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 20.5 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 991 · Ambulance 992 · Fire 993 · All emergencies 112.
Solo women: Solo women travel here comfortably in tourist areas; avoid walking alone after dark in towns and use lodge or app taxis.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Road crashes, night driving and unmarked hazards
Dangerous wildlife near rivers and camps
Malaria year-round in most regions
Bag snatching and theft from parked vehicles

Common scams

Informal guides or touts at Victoria Falls border area offering fake bargains
Unofficial money changers shortchanging on exchange

Laws visitors break by accident

Photographing government buildings, airports or the military is prohibited
Drug offences, including cannabis, carry long sentences
Wildlife products are illegal to buy or export

Safety by place in Zambia

Place	Safety
Livingstone	3/5 · Take real precautions
Lusaka	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Zambia safe for tourists?

Peaceful and low-key; petty theft and bag snatching in Lusaka and Livingstone and road crashes are the main risks. Political events can cause local unrest.

Is Zambia safe for solo female travelers?

Solo women travel here comfortably in tourist areas; avoid walking alone after dark in towns and use lodge or app taxis.

What is the emergency number in Zambia?

Police 991 · Ambulance 992 · Fire 993 · All emergencies 112.

Safety by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.